Cheesy Potato Bites

Here’s a recipe for Cheesy Potato Bites – crispy on the outside, cheesy and soft on the inside. Perfect for snacks, parties, or even as a side dish.

🧀 Cheesy Potato Bites Recipe

🕒 Prep Time: 20 mins

🍳 Cook Time: 20-25 mins

🍽️ Serves: 4-6 people

✅ Ingredients

For the potato mixture:

3 large potatoes (around 500g), peeled and boiled
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or any melty cheese of choice)
1/4 cup grated mozzarella (optional, for extra cheese pull)
2 tbsp finely chopped spring onions or regular onion (optional)
1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional, for spice)
1/4 tsp garlic powder or 1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red chili flakes or paprika
Salt to taste
2 tbsp cornstarch or all-purpose flour (for binding)
2 tbsp fresh coriander or parsley, finely chopped

For coating:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)
1 egg, beaten (or a slurry of 2 tbsp flour + 2 tbsp water for eggless)
1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)

For frying:

Oil for deep frying or shallow frying

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Potato Mixture

Boil the potatoes until soft. Drain and let them cool slightly.
Mash the potatoes thoroughly in a mixing bowl – ensure there are no lumps.
Add cheddar, mozzarella (if using), chopped onions, chilies, garlic, pepper, chili flakes, salt, and cornstarch.
Mix everything well until you get a dough-like consistency. If the mixture feels too sticky, add a little more cornstarch or breadcrumbs.
Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.

Step 2: Shape the Bites

With oiled or damp hands, shape the mixture into small balls or cylindrical bites (like tater tots).
Place them on a tray and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to help them firm up (optional but recommended).

Step 3: Coat the Bites

Roll each bite lightly in flour.
Dip in beaten egg (or flour-water slurry).
Roll in breadcrumbs to coat evenly. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating (double coating).

Step 4: Frying

Deep Frying: Heat oil over medium-high. Fry the bites in small batches until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
Shallow Frying: Use less oil and fry each side until golden.
Air Frying or Baking: Spray with oil and bake at 200°C / 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 5: Serve

Serve hot with ketchup, spicy mayo, garlic dip, or sour cream.

🔁 Optional Variations

Add cooked bacon bits or diced ham to the potato mix for a meaty version.
Use sweet potatoes for a healthier twist.
Mix in herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary for added aroma.

🧊 Storage Tips

Unfried bites can be stored in the fridge (2 days) or frozen (up to 1 month).
To freeze: Place on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a ziplock bag.
Fry straight from frozen—no need to thaw, just add 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.